Atlanta Braves swat Nats take game two

The Atlanta Braves limited the Nationals to two hits Friday taking game two of the series and extending their lead in the NL East.

Mike Foltynewicz dominated the powerful Nationals’ lineup, striking out eleven and cruising to his first major league complete game win.

Magnificent Mike

Friday night Mike Foltynewicz silenced his critics and befuddled Nats hitters while spinning a nine inning 106 pitch masterpiece.

The Nationals were never really in the game and at times it didn’t look like a fair fight. The Minooka Bazooka’s high octane gas scorched the corners and his slider dived off the plate, denying solid contact to one of baseball’s best lineups.

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The game started with Nick Markakis’ diving, slip and slide catch of a Trea Turner line drive and ended with Bryce Harper striking out on an 88 mph slider. In between it was all Mike all the time.

Folty gave up a first inning Harper single then retired the next 20 Nationals he faced.

Strasburg was tough

Steven Strasburg kept up his half of this exciting pitcher’s dual, holding the Braves at bay for six innings.

Back-to-back singles by Markakis and Kurt Suzuki put runner’s on the corners for Johan Camargo.

Camargo’s swinging bunt towards first eluded Matt Adams glove as Markakis scored giving the Braves a 1-0 lead.

The National’s righty used his curve successfully to keep hitters off-balance, consistently painting the glove side corner. It was a truly nasty pitch all night, but after striking out Preston Tucker he went to the well once too often.

Strasburg put Dansby Swanson in a 1-2 hole then tried to slip that curve in under Dansby’s hands.  Swanson is extremely quick inside and seemed to be looking for that hook turning on it and launching it high and deep into the left field stands.

That blast (exit velocity 104 mph, distance 408 feet per StatCast) put the Braves up 4-0 and guaranteed Mike would take the mound in the eighth with a shot at a complete game.